COACH’S INSIGHT

Zuberi’s coach Brad Staddon was pleased with his performance but was quick to add that he played well in the previous week as well when he took 2/17 against Desert Cubs.

“He did well this week and also in the previous game. He has been practicing hard and bowling consistently,” Staddon said.

He also commented on the players’ team work and unity that has helped them pull off a few upsets this season.

“There’s an energy running through the team at the moment because we’re a new academy and we’re upsetting quite a few teams. All the players are backing up each other”

The whole bowling unit has been in good form, especially after dismissing Desert Cubs for 80 in their previous game.

“He [Zuberi] took four wickets but all our other bowlers were going at an economy rate of two or three. The whole bowling line-up did well and that’s why we were able to restrict them [G-Force Academy].”

ABOUT IT’S JUST CRICKET ACADEMY

It’s Just Cricket offers various types of programmes for upcoming cricketers to develop their technical skills and nurture them in order to become professionals.

The academy gives budding cricketers opportunities to play and train at the highest level which gives them exposure at some of the world’s best cricket institutes.

T10 Cricket League brought forward by one week, to be played from December 14 to 17

The inaugural T10 Cricket League, which has attracted top international cricketers including Eoin Morgan and Shahid Afridi, has been brought forward by one week and will now be held between December 14 to 17.

The league was originally scheduled for December 21 to 24 but will now be played earlier at Sharjah Cricket Stadium to give players’ ample time to prepare for the Big Bash League and international tours.

Pakistan Cricket Board announced last week that their top players will be available for selection but wanted them back in time for a training camp ahead of their visit to New Zealand early next year.

“We have done this to accommodate the bigger pool of players because the Pakistan team is travelling to New Zealand on the 27th December,” Shaji Ul-Mulk, chairman of the T10 Cricket League, told Sport360°.

“They have a camp and will get ready on the 20th. We were advised by the Pakistan Cricket Board into looking into the possibility of moving the dates and we were able to do that. It will also allow players, who are competing in the Big Bash League, which starts from 19th December, to play in the T10 Cricket League as well.”

Although it’s a new format that will see around 70 elite cricketers – including Chris Gayle and Virender Sehwag play in 10-overs-a-side matches, which will last 90 minutes each, there has been no shortage of interest.